System and cincture to protect the upper torso of an individual

ABSTRACT

A cincture is worn on and protects the upper torso of an individual. The cincture is spaced apart from the neck of the individual and contacts the individual&#39;s shoulder at points intermediate the individual&#39;s neck and distal end of the collarbone to protect the individual&#39;s neck from injury and to facilitate transmitting strike forces over the posterior of the shoulder and upper back of the individual.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus to protect the body of an individual and to minimize the risk of injury when the body is hit.

More particularly, the invention relates to a cincture to protect the upper torso including the upper sternum, upper ribs, shoulder girdle, upper spine, brachial plexus and associated musculature.

Those of skill in the art have for many years pursued systems to protect an individual engaged in football and other sports or endeavors.

Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved system to protect an individual when the individual is struck by an exterior force.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved system to protect the upper torso of an individual's body.

This, other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating a substantially rigid, pliable, elastic polymer frame comprising part of a cincture constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an edge view illustrating a portion of the frame of FIG. 1 and taken along section line 2-2 thereof;

FIG. 3 is an edge view illustrating a portion of the frame of FIG. 1 and taken along section line 3-3 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the frame of FIG. 1 illustrating additional construction details thereof;

FIG. 5 is a right hand side view of the frame of FIG. 1 illustrating additional construction details thereof;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the frame of FIG. 1 illustrating additional construction details thereof;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the cincture frame of FIG. 1 illustrating additional construction details thereof;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a primary epaulet comprising part of the cincture of the invention and utilized in conjunction with the frame of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a right hand side view of the epaulet of FIG. 8 illustrating further construction details thereof;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the epaulet of FIG. 8 further illustrating the construction thereof;

FIG. 11 is a left hand side view of the epaulet of FIG. 8 further illustrating the same;

FIG. 12 is a partial front view illustrating the brachial plexus and clavicle in the neck and right shoulder of an individual;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the neck of an individual illustrating the lessor occipital nerve, the great auricular nerve, and the supraclavicular nerves; and,

FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Briefly, in accordance with the invention, I provide an improved cincture to be worn on and protect the upper torso of an individual. The upper torso includes a sternum, a pair of clavicles each having a distal end, a pair of shoulder girdles, a pair of shoulders, an upper back, and a medial line. The torso interconnects the arms and neck of the individual. The improved cincture includes a frame and a primary epaulet. The frame includes a back portion. a sternum protector; and, a pair of spaced apart wing units. Each wing unit interconnects the back portion and the sternum protector; and, includes an upper wing and a lower wing spaced apart from the upper wing. The upper and lower wings co-terminate at an inner arcuate connector. The frame also includes an elastic shock absorbing structure connected to and extending outwardly from the upper wing. The cincture also includes a pair of primary epaulets each pivotally mounted on a different one of the wing units and shaped and dimensioned to conform to and seat on the elastic shock absorbing structure of the wing unit. The cincture is shaped and dimensioned such that when it is mounted on the upper torso of the individual, the neck of the individual extends upwardly between the inner arcuate connectors; each of said inner arcuate connectors is spaced apart from the neck; and, each of the lower wings at the midline of the shoulder contacted by the lower wing is spaced apart from the neck, extends at least partially above the distal end of the clavicle that is in the shoulder contacted by the lower wing, and does not extend outwardly past the distal end of the clavicle that is in the shoulder contacted by the lower wing. The lower wing is shaped and dimensioned freely to permit, when the individual is standing upright, abduction of the arm connected to the shoulder contacted by said lower wing and hanging downwardly vertically at the side of the individual through an angle of at least one hundred and sixty degrees.

Turning now to the drawings, which illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention by way of illustration and not limitation, and in which like reference characters refer to corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a substantially rigid, pliable, elastic skeletal frame generally indicated by reference character 10. The frame 10 is a key component of a cincture constructed in accordance with the invention. Another key component is the primary epaulet 40 illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 11. The inner edge of epaulet 40 is pivotally attached to frame 10 such that when an individual abducts his arm up over his should, his arm upwardly displaces epaulet 40 through an arc such that the outer edge of epaulet 40 moves upwardly through the arc, first initially moving away from the individual's neck and then—after the outer edge moves upwardly past lateral alignment with the top of the cincutre—moving through an arc generally toward the neck of the individual.

While the material(s) utilized to construct frame 10 can vary as desired, a polymer is presently utilized. The polymer produces a frame 10 which is hard and relatively stiff. As will be described below, however, although the frame is relatively rigid, it also is preferably somewhat pliable and elastic and can flex to help absorb a blow that is directed toward the frame (and the individual on which frame 10 is mounted) and that contacts the frame 10.

In further describing the structure and function of frame 10, it is important to first note structure and functions in US Patent Application 2006/0010590, filed Jan. 19, 2006, that were, during development of the invention described herein, found to be contrary to the invention.

First, the system described in Application 2006/0010590 is described as extending over the base and sides of the neck:

-   -   “The collar and the protective padding beneath it are         anatomically specifically contoured so that this collar and         padding assembly rests at the base of the neck posteriorly and         arcs anteriorly on the sides of the neck anteriorly across the         superior aspect of the sternum.” Page 1, §[0002], item 2.     -   “The collar . . . is rounded on the sides of the neck in an         outward facing “U” shape.” Page 1, §[0002], item 5.         Second, the system described in Application 2006/0010590,         further suggests (immediately after the language above) that the         system directly contacts the shoulder adjacent the neck:     -   “The collar and padding supports the entire protection system         and is the only point of direct contact across the shoulder.”         Page 1, §[0002], item 2.

Third, the system described in Application 2006/0010590 suggests that the collar creates a protective space at a point higher up the neck where Erb's point is located:

-   -   “ . . . the position and shape of the inside aspect of the sides         of the collar create a protective space for the neck and the         brachial plexus of nerves existing the neck at Erb's point. This         collar configuration is intended to reduce neck abrasions and         blunt trauma to Erb's Point that may result in the “stinger         syndrome”. Page 1, §[0002], item 8.         Erb's point is the point on the side of the neck above the base         of the neck. Erb's point is two to three centimeters above the         clavicle and in front of the transverse process of the sixth         cervical vertebra. It is located on the posterior border of the         sternocleidomastoid muscle midway between its attachments to the         mastoid process, and the sternum and clavicle. At Erb's point,         cutaneous branches of the cervical plexus emerge from behind the         posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The four         cutaneous nerves of the cervical plexus are the lessor occipital         nerve, great auricular nerve, transverse cervical nerve, and         supraclavicular nerve. FIG. 13 illustrates the         Sternocleidomastoid muscle 55 and also illustrates the great         auricular nerve 56, the cervical cutaneous nerve 57, and         supraclavicular nerves 58 emerging from behind the posterior         border of the Sternocleidomastoid muscle in the neck 50 of an         individual. FIG. 14 further illustrates the Sternocleidomastoid         muscle 55 attached to the bottom of the skull and the collarbone         52. FIG. 12 illustrates the brachial plexus 53 as it exits the         lower portion of neck 50 and extends into the shoulder 51 and         behind the clavicle 52 of an individual.

Fourth, the system described in Application 2006/0010590 facilitates adduction:

-   -   “The epaulets . . . provide for unrestricted movement of the         shoulder in the adduction (flexion) and rotational planes.” Page         1, §[0002], item 12.

Fifth, the system described in Application 2006/0010590 states that the upper portion of the collar provides a shock absorbing platform for “epaulet 1”:

-   -   “ . . . [the] upper portion of the “U” on the lateral aspect         provides a spring shock absorbing platform that Epaulet 1 is         rigidly affixed to.” Page 1, §[0002], item 6.

Sixth, the system described in Application 2006/0010590 describes the collar as having an outward facing “U” shape:

-   -   “The collar . . . is rounded on the sides of the neck in an         outward facing “U” shape.” Page 1, §[0002], item 5.

Seventh, the system described in Application 2006/0010590 attributes the absorption of impact to the flexing of three “epaulets”:

-   -   “This 3 epaulet system . . . creates a supported channel of         space between the epaulets and the superior shoulder from the         outside (or lateral?) aspect of the collar allowing the epaulets         to flex and absorb the impact before the shoulder is contacted.”         Page 1, §[0002], item 13.

Eighth, the system described in Application 2006/0010590 describes the contour of “epaulet 2” as responsible for unrestricted superior adduction:

-   -   “The contour of epaulet 2 . . . allows for unrestricted superior         adduction (medial flexion) of the shoulder.” Page 1, §[0002],         item 17.

Ninth, the system described in Application 2006/001590 forms a complete protective channel for the entire length of each shoulder and collar bone:

-   -   “This configuration in combination with the collar configuration         of claim 3 forms a complete protective channel for the entire         length of each shoulder and collar bone (clavicle).” Page 1,         §[0002], item 13.

Tenth, the system described in Application 2006/001590 only incorporates a channel over the spine in the back plate:

-   -   “The Back Plate contains a space (channel) over the spine.” Page         2, ¶[0002], item 28.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the collar in Application 2006/001590 does not incorporate a channel over the cervical vertebra, and, Application 2006/001590 does not specifically address the structure of the collar with respect to the upper back.

Eleventh, the system described in Application 2006/001590 describes “epaulet 1” as forming a channel over the superior aspect of the shoulder:

-   -   “These corresponding ridges allow epaulet 2 to sit firmly on         epaulet 1 strengthening the channel that these two epaulets form         over the superior aspect of each shoulder.” Page 1, ¶[0002],         item 15.

Twelfth, the system described in Application 2006/00590 does not describe where “ridges” on “epaulet 1” correspond to “ridges” on “epaulet 2”:

-   -   “Epaulet 1 . . . is formed with ridges that correspond directly         to the ridges of epaulet 2.” Page 1, ¶[0002], item 15.         The location of such “ridges” (although that terminology is         misleading) is critical in the functioning of the cincture of         the invention described herein.

In contrast to the foregoing comments in Application 2006/00159, the cincture of the invention:

-   -   1. Does not contact the base or sides of the neck. The cincture         of the invention is spaced apart from the neck.     -   2. Does not directly contact the shoulder adjacent the neck. The         cincture of the invention is spaced apart from the portion of         the shoulder adjacent the neck.     -   3. Does not create a protective space at a point higher up the         neck where Erb's point is located.     -   4. Does not facilitate adduction. The cincture of the invention         does the direct opposite, it facilitates abduction.     -   5. Does not focus on utilizing the inner “collar” part of the         cincture as a spring shock absorbing platform to which an         operatively associated shock absorbing structure somewhat         similar to “epaulet 1” is rigidly affixed. It is the operatively         associated shock absorbing structure which functions as the         spring shock absorbing platform. The operatively associated         shock absorbing structure is not rigidly affixed in the         apparatus of the invention. Instead, it flexes.     -   6. Is, as noted, not on the sides of the neck and does not have         a simple “U” shape. The cincture has an irregular wing shape         critical to the functioning of the cincture.     -   7. Absorbs force largely due to the flexing of only the         operatively associated shock absorbing structure.     -   8. Does not permit abduction due to the contour of a primary         “epaulet” which is somewhat similar to “epaulet 2” in         Application 2006/001590. In the cincture of the invention, the         contour of the primary “epaulet” has nothing to do with         abduction.     -   9. Does not form a protective channel over the complete length         of the collar bone and shoulder. In the cincture of the         invention, a protective channel of limited length is formed only         over a portion of the shoulder and collar bone. This limited         scope of the protective channel in the apparatus of the         invention is critical in permitting largely unrestricted         abduction.     -   10. Does incorporate a ridge that arches over and protects         cervical vertebra.     -   11. Does not include a structure which is similar to “epaulet 1”         in Application 2006/001590 and which extends over the superior         aspect of the shoulder. The portion of the cincture of the         invention that in some respect is similar to “epaulet 1” extends         from the midline of a portion of the shoulder over a portion of         the posterior of the shoulder. As used herein, the midline         comprises an imaginary line drawn from the end of the collarbone         in the right shoulder, through the center of the neck, and         through the end of the collarbone in the left shoulder.     -   12. Includes an operatively associated shock absorbing structure         and a primary epaulet which in some respects are similar to         “epaulets 1 and 2” in Application 2006/001590 but which have         arcuate portions contoured such that the primary epaulet seats         on and interlocks with the operatively associated shock         absorbing structure at locations above the posterior of the         shoulder.

FIG. 1 illustrates a unitary frame 10 which, as noted, comprises one of the principal components of the cincture of the invention. Frame 10 can be produced in segments which are riveted or otherwise fastened together to produce frame 10, or, frame 10 can, if possible, be molded or otherwise produced as a single piece. For purposes of clarity, the cincture of the invention is generally illustrated herein without illustrating foam padding which normally would line at least a portion of the inner surfaces of the cincture. The inner surfaces of the cincture are the surfaces which would generally, when the cincture is warn by an individual, be closest to the individual's body and which would contact the individual's body if not lined with foam. The thickness of the foam lining can vary as desired, but typically is in the range of one-quarter of an inch to one inch. Closed or open celled foam can be utilized, but closed cell foam is presently preferred to minimize the amount of sweat or other liquids which can be absorbed by the foam.

Frame 10 includes a sternum protector 11, a back portion 12, a first wing unit 13 spanning between and interconnecting protector 11 and portion 12, and a second wing unit 14 spanning between and interconnecting sternum protector 11 and back portion 12.

Wing units 13 and 14 presently are mirror images of one another, although that need not necessarily be the case depending on the physiology of an individual being fitted with a frame 10.

Wing unit 13 includes upper wing 15 and lower wing 16 spaced apart from upper wing 15. Upper and lower wings 15 and 16, respectively, co-terminate along inner arcuate connector 17. Wing 16 includes arcuate foot 16A which is connected to upper panel 35 of sternum protector 11. Upper panel 35 is connected to lower panel 26 of protector 11.

Wing unit 14 includes upper wing 18 and lower wing 19 spaced apart from upper wing 18. Upper and lower wings 18 and 19, respectively, co-terminate along inner arcuate connector 20. Connector 20 is opposed to and spaced apart from connector 17. Wing 19 includes arcuate foot 19A which is connected to upper panel 24A of sternum protector 11. Upper panel 24A is connected to lower panel 25 of protector 11.

Wing unit 13 also includes an upper operatively associated substantially rigid, flexible, elastic shock absorbing structure 21 that extends outwardly from upper wing 15. Wing unit 13 also includes a lower operatively associated structure 24 (FIG. 6) that extends outwardly from lower wing 16 and that is spaced apart from shock absorbing structure 21.

Wing unit 14 also include an upper operatively associated shock absorbing structure 22 that extends outwardly from upper wing 18. Wing unit 14 also includes a lower operatively associated structure 23 that extends outwardly from lower wing 19 and that is spaced apart from shock absorbing structure 22.

When frame 10 is worn by an individual and rests on the upper torso of the individual, shock absorbing structures 21 and 22, in addition to extending outwardly from wings 15 and 18, respectively, each extend substantially from the midline rearwardly over the posterior of a shoulder of the individual. Further, when frame 10 is worn by an individual, narrower portions of structures 16 and 19 cross the midline at points spaced away from the neck to avoid producing pressure in the directions indicated by arrows L, K, J in FIG. 12 against the side of the neck, the base of neck, and the portion of the shoulder adjacent the neck. This “crossing” of the midline by portions of structures 16 and 19 functions, when a striking force is applied to the cincture in the direction of arrow M in FIG. 12, to absorb and distribute the striking force over the middle shoulder and shoulder girdle to direct the force away from the side and base of the neck and from the brachial plexus in the neck. More particularly, due to the functioning of the flexible elastic shock absorbing structures 21 and 22, such a striking force is distributed over the posterior of the shoulder girdle and over the upper back.

As can be seen in FIG. 12, as the brachial plexus 53 exits the neck, it extends downwardly into the shoulder behind clavicle 52. Clavicle 52 shields and protects the brachial plexus from force acting downwardly in the direction of arrow M. Lower wing 19 is preferably, although not necessarily, positioned in the manner illustrated in FIG. 12 wherein any downward pressure exerted by lower wing 19, and the padding 19B beneath wing 19, is generally received by the clavicle. Although muscle and tissue above and to the sides of clavicle 52 may be compressed, and, tend to be compressed against the portion of the brachial plexus extending away from the neck 50 and through the shoulder of an individual, the clavicle 52 acts as a stop which restricts such compression and which, therefore, minimizes any compression of the brachial plexus 53.

A lower supplemental sternum guard, indicated by dashed lines 27 in FIG. 1, can, if desired, be pivotally or otherwise attached to sternum protector 11. The inner surfaces of such a lower sternum guard 27 would normally also be lined with a layer of foam which would be intermediate guard 27 and an individual's body when the cincture of the invention was worn by the individual. Ventilation openings can, if desired, be formed through protector 11, guard 27 and any other portion (including through any foam lining if desired) of the cincture of the invention. Sternum guard 27 can, if desired, include clips 28, 29 which each detachably receive one end of an adjustable strap which extends around the sides and back of an individual's torso to help hold guard 27 in position against the front of the individual's torso.

In FIG. 1, sternum protector 11 is fixedly secured to feet 16A, 19A. In order to facilitate mounting frame 10 and the cincture of the invention on the upper torso of an individual, one side of protector 11 can be pivotally secured by a pin 30 to frame 10 such that protector 11 can be pivoted in the manner and direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 1 to an open operative position indicated by dashed lines 11A. After the cincture is mounted on the upper torso of the individual, the protector is pivoted in a direction opposite that of arrow A back to the position of protector 11 shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7.

In FIG. 1, upper wing 15 includes leading edge 32. Edge 32 is spaced apart from foot 16A. When a strike force acts against wing 15 in a direction that tends to force wing 15 toward the shoulder located directly beneath wing 15, wing 15 has a limited flexibility in the area adjacent edge 32, and, as a result, wing 15 can flex and permit edge 32 to be displaced toward and even against foot 16A. When a similar strike force is directed against wing 18, wing 18 can, in a fashion similar to wing 15, flex and permit edge 32A to be displaced toward and even against foot 19A. As will be seen, however, the primary flexing and force distribution members of the cincture of the invention are the shock absorbing structures 21 and 22.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are section views of the frame of FIG. 1 taken to illustrate how the width of each wing unit 13, 14 generally increases as one moves along a wing unit 13, 14 from front (i.e. from adjacent sternum protector 11) to back (i.e., to the back portion 12). The edge section view of FIG. 2 is taken closer to sternum protector 11. The edge section view of FIG. 3 is taken at a location which is further from protector 11 and from the section view of FIG. 2. As a result, the width, indicated by arrows B, of the lower portion of wing unit 14 in FIG. 2 is significantly less than the width, indicated by arrows C, of the wing unit 14 in FIG. 3. The lesser width of wing unit 14 in FIG. 2 is critical in the practice of the invention for at least two reasons. First, the lesser width facilitates contacting the shoulder of an individual in the manner illustrated in FIG. 12 so that wing unit 14 is spaced apart from the side and base of an individual's neck and from the portion of the individual's shoulder that is immediately adjacent the base of the individual's neck 50. Second, the reduced width of unit 14 at the point where unit 14 crosses the midline of an individual's shoulder permits a much increased range of abduction, where abduction comprises moving the individual's arm upwardly away from his side and up past his shoulder. This increased abduction range enables to extend each of his arms vertically over his head, or at least to within fifteen to twenty degrees of vertical, to catch a football. Accordingly, if an individual is standing with his arms hanging vertically downwardly at his sides, the individual can, when wearing the cincture of the invention, freely abduct each of his arms upwardly through an arc of at least one hundred and thirty-five degrees, preferably at least one hundred and fifty degrees, more preferably at least one hundred and sixty degrees, and most preferably at least one hundred and seventy degrees. In one embodiment of the invention, the cincture permits abduction of each arm from an individual's side upwardly through an arc of one hundred and eighty degrees. In order to facilitate this abduction range, the width, indicated by arrows B in FIG. 2, of the lower wing 19 at the midline (when the cincture of the invention is being worn) is currently two inches, and, the width, indicated by arrow W in FIG. 1, of the upper wing 18 is presently three and one-half inches. Further, the lower wing 19 preferably does not extend out past the distal end 52A of clavicle 52. In FIG. 12, wing 19 (1) partially extends over the end 52A of clavicle 52, (2) does not extend completely over end 52A, and (3) does not extend outwardly past end 52A. The width B of lower wing 19 (or 16) at the midline is in the range of one to seven inches, preferably one and one-half to six inches, and more preferably one and three-quarters to five inches. Wing 19 (or 16) typically maintains this width for at least one to two inches of travel forwardly toward protector 11 or rearwardly toward back portion 12. The width W of upper wing 18 (or 15) at the midline is in the range of two to ten inches, preferably two and one-half to eight inches, and more preferably three to seven inches. Wing 18 (or 15) typically maintains this width for at least one to two inches of travel forwardly, as indicated by arrow X, toward protector 11 or rearwardly, as indicated by arrow Y (FIG. 1), toward back portion 12.

The minimum distance, indicated by arrows P in FIG. 12, of connector 20 (or 17) from the neck 50 of an individual is at least one inch, preferably one and one-half inch, and more preferably at least two inches.

The primary epaulet 40 illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 11 includes a rear, or proximate, edge 44 and a front, or distal, edge 45. Epaulet 40 seats on the top of wing 18 in the manner illustrated by dashed lines 40 in FIG. 3, and rear edge 44 is hingedly secured to the top of wing 18 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7. A piece of pliable tape 41 attached both to epaulet 40 and to wing 18 can serve as the hinge, or any other desired structure can be utilized which permits epaulet 40 to pivot from the generally horizontal orientation illustrated by dashed lines 40 in FIG. 3 and dashed lines 40 in FIG. 7 upwardly in the direction of arrow D (FIG. 3) through a desired angle. If the desired angle is ninety degrees, then epaulet 40 would pivot from the horizontal orientation of FIG. 3 to a vertical orientation. The desired angle typically is something less than ninety degrees, usually at least forty-five degrees, preferably at least sixty degrees, more preferably at least seventy degrees, and most preferably at least eighty degrees. The ability of epaulet 40 to pivot upwardly through such an angle facilitates abduction of the arms of the individual wearing the cincture of the invention.

Epaulet 40 is shaped and dimensioned such that when epaulet 40 is seated on wing unit 14 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3, portions of epaulet 40 that are positioned directly above an opposing portion of wing unit 14 (i.e., above upper wing 18 or flexible elastic shock absorbing structure 22) are shaped and dimensioned to conform to and seat on the opposing portions of wing unit 14. In particular, a portion of epaulet 40 is shaped and dimensioned to seat on elastic shock absorbing structure 22 so that when a force is generated against epaulet 40 that presses epaulet downwardly against structure 22, structure 22 resiliently flexes to absorb at least a portion of the force. In addition, since structure 22 and structure 23 extend over the posterior of an individual's shoulder and over the individual's upper back, when the cincture of the invention is worn by the individual, force generated downwardly against structure 22 (and toward the shoulder girdle) is distributed over at least a portion of the posterior of the individual's shoulder and of the individual's upper back. Accordingly, the combination of frame 10 and primary epaulet 40 function to distribute contact forces away from an individual's neck, away from the portion of an individual's shoulder immediately adjacent the base of the neck, and over portions of the individual's posterior shoulder and upper back.

Raised portion 36 (FIGS. 1, 4, 6, 7) is, when the cincture of the invention is worn by an individual, spaced away from cervical vertebra to minimize the likelihood that pressure will be produced against such vertebra. A space 37 (FIG. 4) is created between portion 36 and the cervical vertebra. This is an important feature of the invention because it helps minimize the risk of an injury to the upper spinal column.

A supplemental member(s) 60 (FIG. 4) can be, and typically is, fixedly or hingedly attached to back portion 12 to provide additional protection for the back of an individual. One example of such members comprises the back plate and side wings illustrated in FIG. 5 of Application Serial No. 2006/0010590.

FIG. 5 is a right hand side view of the frame of FIG. 1 taken from the perspective indicated by arrow N.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the frame of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the frame of FIG. 1.

In FIGS. 8 to 11, epaulet 40 comprises a contoured plate including a rear or proximate edge 44, a front or distal edge 45, a first end 42 and a second end 43. End 43 is not visible in FIG. 9 because it is obscured from view by the curvature of epaulet 40. Similarly, end 42 is not visible in FIG. 11 because it is obscured from view by the curvature of epaulet 40.

As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, an epaulet comparable to epaulet 40 is used in conjunction with upper wing 15 and support structure 21 in the same manner that epaulet 40 is used in conjunction with upper wing 18 and support structure 22.

In one embodiment of the invention, portions of the cincture are made to be removed and replaced by portions better adapted for a particular individual or for a particular condition. For example, during a football practice it may be desirable to reduce the risk of injury by providing a cincture with more padding. The padding on the inside (or outside) of the cincture is detachable so it can be readily removed and replaced with thicker padding. Or, supplemental member 60 is detachable and can be replaced by a comparable member 60 which is more flexible and reduces the risk of injury during practice. In another embodiment of the invention, a detachable supplemental member 60 is provided in a large size, a medium size, and a small size so that the cincture can be customized to better fit an individual. In another embodiment, the entire cincture is made in large, medium and small sizes so the best size can be selected for a particular individual. In a further embodiment of the invention, measurements are made of an individual's body so that a custom fit cincture can be manufactured based on the measurement.

As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art a secondary epaulet can be pivotally attached at or near outer edge 45 of a primary epaulet 40 to extend outwardly and downwardly away from epaulet 40 and provide additional protection for an individual's arm. An example of such a secondary epaulet is “epaulet 3” in Application 2006/0010590.

Having described my invention in such terms as to enable those of skill in the art to make and use the invention, I Claim: 

1. A cincture to be worn on and protect the upper torso of an individual, the upper torso including a sternum, a pair of clavicles each having a distal end, a pair of shoulder girdles, a pair of shoulders, an upper back, and a medial line, the torso interconnecting the arms and neck of the individual, said cincture including (a) a frame including (i) a back portion, (ii) a sternum protector; (iii) pair of spaced apart wing units each  interconnecting said back portion and said sternum protector,  including an upper wing and a lower wing spaced apart from said upper wing, said upper and lower wings co-terminating at an inner arcuate connector, (Iv) an elastic shock absorbing structure connected to and extending outwardly from said upper wing, (b) a pair of primary epaulets each pivotally mounted on a different one of said wing units and shaped and dimensioned to conform to and seat on said elastic shock absorbing structure; said cincture shaped and dimensioned such that when mounted on the upper torso of the individual, (c) the neck of the individual extends upwardly between said inner arcuate connectors, (d) each of said inner arcuate connectors is spaced apart from the neck; (e) each of said lower wings at the midline of the shoulder contacted by said lower wing (i) is spaced apart from the neck, (ii) extends at least partially above the distal end of the clavicle that is in the should contacted by said lower wing, and (iii) does not extend outwardly past the distal end of the clavicle that is in the shoulder contacted by said lower wing, said lower wing being shaped and dimensioned freely to permit, when the individual is standing upright, abduction of the arm connected to the shoulder contacted by said lower wing and hanging downwardly vertically at the side of the individual through an angle of at least one hundred and sixty degrees. 